The PLEXIN PLX-2 and the ephrin EFN-4 have distinct roles in MAB-20/Semaphorin 2A signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans morphogenesis.

Semaphorins are extracellular proteins that regulate axon guidance and morphogenesis by interacting with a variety of cell surface receptors. Most semaphorins interact with plexin-containing receptor complexes, although some interact with non-plexin receptors. Class 2 semaphorins are secreted molecules that control axon guidance and epidermal morphogenesis in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans.

Benidipine attenuates glomerular hypertension and reduces albuminuria in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Recent studies have shown that metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk for chronic kidney disease. We recently found that the prevalence of sodium-sensitive hypertension in patients with metabolic syndrome was significantly higher than that in patients with essential hypertension but without metabolic syndrome. We therefore assessed the effects of benidipine, a long-acting calcium channel blocker, on the sodium sensitivity of blood pressure and renal hemodymamics in 5 patients with metabolic syndrome.

Focusing quality of a split short laser pulse.

For multiple laser pulse experiments, it is necessary to split a laser pulse. In order to split a short laser pulse without stretching the pulse width, the laser pulse should not pass through thick materials. For this reason, a pellicle beam splitter (BS) and/or a mirror with a hole are required as a BS for the short laser pulse.

Usefulness of measuring coronary lumen density with multi-slice computed tomography to detect in-stent restenosis.

Background: A method to objectively detect in-stent restenosis (ISR) with multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) has not been established yet. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of measuring coronary lumen density with MSCT to detect ISR.

Methods: Forty-seven coronary stented lesions in 38 patients were evaluated with 16-slice CT (collimation thickness, 0.

Failure to confirm an association between the PLXNA2 gene and schizophrenia in a Japanese population.

Plexins are receptors for multiple classes of semaphorins, either alone or in combination with neuropilins. Plexins participate in many cellular events that include axonal repulsion, axonal attraction, cell migration, axon pruning, and synaptic plasticity. PLXNA2 maps to chromosome 1q32.

Prune extract (Prunus domestica L.) suppresses the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of human colon carcinoma Caco-2.

Prunes are the dried fruits of certain cultivars of Prunus domestica L., and are recognized as a health food. The separated ethanol fraction from concentrated prune juice by DIAION HP-20 (PE) was investigated for cytotoxic effects on two different cancer cell lines in vitro.

Osteogenic potential of cultured human periosteum-derived cells - a pilot study of human cell transplantation into a rat calvarial defect model.

Background: Periosteum shows osteogenic potential and has received considerable attention as a grafting material for the repair of bone and joint defects. The osteogenic potential of cultured periosteal cells has also been reported. The findings of bone formation induced by cultured human periosteum-derived cells using a rat model are presented.

Lidar measurement of constituents of microparticles in air by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses.

We experimentally demonstrated remote sensing of the constituents of microparticles in air by combining laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and lidar, using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses. Laser pulses of 70 fs duration and 130 mJ energy generated filaments when focused at a focal length of 20 m and the pulses irradiated artificial saltwater aerosols in air at a 10 Hz pulse repetition rate. Na fluorescence was observed remotely at a distance of 16 m using a 318 mm diameter Newtonian telescope, a spectrometer, and an intensified CCD camera.

Desmoglein 3 as a prognostic factor in lung cancer.

Desmoglein 3 is a desmosomal protein of the cadherin family. Our cDNA expression profile demonstrated that desmoglein 3 was highly expressed in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung but not detected in pulmonary adenocarcinoma or normal lung. To investigate the clinical significance of desmoglein 3 in lung cancer, we surveyed its expression in primary non-small-cell lung cancers and neuroendocrine tumors.

Mice lacking alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase IX demonstrate disappearance of Lewis x structure in brain and increased anxiety-like behaviors.

The 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine [Lewis x (Le(x)), CD15, SSEA-1] carbohydrate structure is expressed on several glycolipids, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans of the nervous system and has been implicated in cell-cell recognition, neurite outgrowth, and neuronal migration during development. To characterize the functional role of Le(x) carbohydrate structure in vivo, we have generated mutant mice that lack alpha1,3-fucosyltransferase IX (Fut9(-/-)). Fut9(-/-) mice were unable to synthesize the Le(x) structure carried on glycoproteins and glycolipids in embryonic and adult brain.

Fabrication of small complex-shaped optics by plasma chemical vaporization machining with a microelectrode.

We have developed plasma chemical vaporization machining by using a microelectrode for the fabrication of small complex-shaped optical surfaces. In this method, a 0.5 mm diameter pipe microelectrode, from which processing gas is drawn in, generates a small localized plasma that is scanned over a workpiece under numerical computer control to shape a desired surface.

Thallium-201 SPECT in prognostic assessment of malignant gliomas treated with postoperative radiotherapy.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the value of preoperative thallium-201 (201Tl) SPECT as a predictor of outcome in malignant glioma.

Methods: From January 1990 to September 2003, 109 patients with glioma were treated with postoperative radiotherapy. Of these, 36 patients with malignant gliomas who underwent preoperative 201Tl-SPECT were included in this study (grade 3: n=14, grade 4: n=22).

Quality of life after neck dissection.

Objective: To assess the impact of modifications to radical neck dissection on postoperative quality of life.

Design: Cross-sectional study using a self-administered neck dissection questionnaire and an arm abduction test.

Setting: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kobe University Hospital.

Comparison of bone formation ingrafted periosteum harvested from tibia and calvaria.

Periosteum covers the bone surface and displays the potential to initiate bone formation, after injury to the bone. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the periosteum plays major roles in the healing process after bone fracture. Some reports have described that in the healing of long bone fractures, the periosteum forms new bone by intramembranous and endochondral ossification.

Guest binding and new self-assembly of bisporphyrins.

In organic medium, bisprophyrins 1-6 connected by aromatic linkers self-assemble via subtle forces such as van der Waals, pi-pi stacking, and CH/pi to form supramolecular dimers. The structures of bisporphyrin dimer 1.1 were discussed using our chemical shift simulation, revealing that 1.

Anti-inflammatory activity of non-nucleoside adenosine deaminase inhibitor FR234938.

Adenosine has anti-inflammatory activity. Adenosine deaminase (EC 3.5.

FR177391, a new anti-hyperlipidemic agent from Serratia. IV. Target identification and validation by chemical genetic approaches.

Natural products with distinct biological activities are very promising molecular probes to dissect the novel pathways of biology. FR177391, a product of bacteria, was obtained as a natural compound possessing anti-hyperlipidemic effects. FR177391 enhances differentiation of mouse 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to adipocytes and reduces the circulating levels of triglyceride in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice, a obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus animal model, although its mechanism of actions remained to be unknown.

FR177391, a new anti-hyperlipidemic agent from Serratia. III. Microbial conversion of FR177391 and synthesis of FR177391 derivatives for its target protein screening by chemical genetic approaches.

FR177391 produced by Serratia liquefaciens No. 1821 enhances differentiation of mouse 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to adipocytes and reduces the circulating levels of triglyceride in C57BL/KsJ-db/bd mice, an obese non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus animal model, although its mechanism of actions remained to be unknown. Its active derivative, 20-hydroxy FR177391, and its inactive derivative, 3-hydroxy FR177391 were produced by microbial conversion of FR177391, and biotin-labeled FR177391 was synthesized from 20-hydroxy FR177391 as an active affinity ligand to identify target molecules of FR177391 by chemical genetic approaches.

[Estimation of glomerular filtration rate by inulin clearance: comparison with creatinine clearance].

Inulin clearance (Cin) is widely believed to be the gold standard of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). However, in Japan, Cin has not been officially recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan for clinical use. Creatinine clearance (Ccr) has been used to estimate the renal function of patients, but there have been many studies in which Ccr estimates were GFR falsely high because the metabolism and tubular excretion of creatinine widely varied according to the pathophysiological state of the patient.

Thallium-201 scintigraphy in bone and soft-tissue tumors: a comparison of dynamic, early and delayed scans.

Objective: It has been reported that delayed scan of thallium-201 (201Tl) scintigraphy is useful for differentiating malignant tumors from benign lesions and for evaluating treatment response. However, physiological muscle uptake which usually increases in delayed scans, often makes it difficult to evaluate 201Tl uptake and its washout in bone and soft-tissue tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the delayed scan is necessary and whether a dynamic scan is useful in the evaluation of bone and soft-tissue tumors.

Crystal structure of human ERK2 complexed with a pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridazine derivative.

A series of pyrazolopyridazine compounds were briefly investigated as ERK2 inhibitors. The crystal structure of ERK2 complexed with an allyl derivative was determined. The compound induces structural change including movement of the glycine-rich loop and peptide flip between Met108-Glu109.

[Comparison of total intravenous anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia regarding hormonal responses during lung lobectomy].

Background: Anesthetic techniques can modulate surgical stress responses. We studied the response of plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and serum cortisol during lung lobectomy under sevoflurane, propofol and fentanyl anesthesia.

Methods: Fifty patients with lung cancer were of ASA physical status 1 or 2 and aged 50-75 yr.

Longitudinal structural determinants of atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability: a computational analysis of stress distribution using vessel models and three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound imaging.

Objectives: This study theoretically examined the longitudinal structural determinants of plaque vulnerability using a color-coded stress mapping technique for several hypothetical vessel models as well as three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images with use of a finite element analysis.

Background: It has been shown that an excessive concentration of stress is related to atherosclerotic plaque rupture. However, the local determinants of in-plaque longitudinal stress distribution along the coronary arterial wall remain unclear.

Healing focal "flare" phenomenon after radiotherapy in a bone metastasis from bladder cancer.

"Flare" phenomenon has been primarily reported as a transient increase in the number or intensity of lesions on bone scans in patients receiving hormonal or chemotherapy. It has been well documented in patients with metastatic breast or prostate carcinoma, and recently reported in those with lung cancer. We present a case of bone metastasis from bladder carcinoma, in which healing flare phenomenon was observed after radiotherapy.

Identification of a selective ERK inhibitor and structural determination of the inhibitor-ERK2 complex.

Selective inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) represents a potential approach for the treatment of cancer and other diseases; however, no selective inhibitors are currently available. Here, we describe an ERK-selective inhibitor, FR180204, and determine the structural basis of its selectivity. FR180204 inhibited the kinase activity of ERK1 and ERK2, with K(i) values 0.